- Statehouse Report – 05/10/2025
The South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police is committed to keeping law enforcement officers informed about legislative developments that impact our profession. This page provides weekly updates on key activities at the South Carolina Statehouse, including our legislative priorities, bills we support, and legislation we are monitoring. We actively advocate for policies that enhance officer safety, strengthen law enforcement resources, and protect the rights of those who serve.
This is the final Statehouse Report of the first regular session of the 126th South Carolina General Assembly. Since this is the beginning of a two-year session, bills not passed by May will still be active for the 2026 legislative session.
PRIORITIES
Our top legislative initiatives are aimed at strengthening law enforcement and public safety in South Carolina.
RETURN TO WORK LEGISLATION
H.3437 Reps. Pope et. al. Return to Work (Critical Need) for Law Enforcement Referred To House Ways and Means H.3542 Rep. Williams Lifting the cap if retires before January 2, 2026 Referred To House Ways and Means S.107 Senator Rice Retirement Earnings Limitation – Raises cap to about $22,320. Referred To Senate Finance S.118 Senator Adams Constables Not Subject to Earnings Limitation Referred To Senate Finance S.119 Senator Adams Lifts the 10,000 Earnings Limitation with 90 Days separation Referred To Senate Finance RETIREE PENSION COLA INCREASES & TAX BREAKS
S.64 Senator Hembree Retirement Income Tax Deduction for First Responders Referred Senate To Finance H.3410 Rep. Hardee Property (Vehicle) Tax Exemption for Former First Responders Referred To House Ways and Means H.3416 Rep. Kilmartin Retirement income Tax Deduction for First Responders Referred To House Ways and Means H.4175 Reps. Caskey et. al. Exclude Wages Earned by Law Enforcement from Calculation of SC Income and Prohibit the Withholding of Taxes of Such Wages. Referred to House Ways and Means PROTECTING LAW ENFORCEMENT K9s
H.3034 Reps. Collins and Wooten Enhanced penalties for injuring police animals Referred To Judiciary – Awaiting Subcommittee Meeting S.427 Sen. Adams Enhanced penalties for injuring police animals On the Senate Calendar HALO PROTECTION
H.3535 Reps. Wooten et. al. Creates 25 foot buffer for law enforcement Heard by House Judiciary Criminal Laws Subcommittee Wednesday, April 9, 2025 → Meeting was Adjourned Prior to Discussion of the Bill S.175 Senator Zell Creates 25 foot buffer for law enforcement Referred to Committee on Judiciary NON-FATAL STRANGULATION LAW
H.3522 Reps. Caskey et. al. Defines Strangulation Referred to Committee on Judiciary S.455 Senator Adams Defines Strangulation (Companion Bill to H.3522) Reported out favorably and Placed on the Senate Calendar POLICE WEEK RECOGNITION
Bill # Sponsor(s) Description Status S.542 Senator Davis Senate Resolution To
Recognize May 11 Through
May 17, 2025, As “Police Week
In South Carolina”Adopted H.4314 Reps. Yow et. al. House Resolution To
Recognize May 11 Through
May 17, 2025, As “Police Week
In South Carolina”Adopted LEGISLATION WE SUPPORT
Bills that align with our mission and directly benefit law enforcement officers and their families.
Bill # Sponsor(s) Description Status H.3003 Reps. Collins and Beach Officer Matthew Logan Hare Memorial Avenue Adopted by the Senate and Returned to House with Concurrence H.3052 Reps. Pope and Wooten Enhanced Penalties for Assault on Law Enforcement Officer Referred to Judiciary H.3053 Reps. Pope et. al. Violent Crimes, Discharging Firearms into Dwellings Referred to Judiciary H.3055 Reps Wooten et. al Harassment and Stalking Referred to Judiciary H.3093 Rep. Moss Enhanced Penalties for Assaulting a First Responder or Healthcare Worker Referred to Judiciary H.3124 Reps. Pope et. al. Exposing First Responders to Fentanyl Referred to Judiciary H.3127 Rep. Robbins, Wooten and Lawson Failure to Stop Concurred in House Amendments and Enrolled and Ratified 5/8/25 H.3159 Rep. Yow Allows Retired Officer to Carry a Concealed Weapon Referred to Judiciary H.3176 Rep. Davis Enhanced Penalties for Failure to Stop Referred to Judiciary H.3258 Reps. Pope et. al. Requires Department of Education to Install Mobile Panic Alert Systems in All Public Schools Referred to Senate Committee on Education H.3259 Reps. Pope and Gilliam First Responder Automobile Insurance Premiums The Bill Was Passed Out Of Committee Favorably And Placed On The Senate Calendar H.3261 Reps. Pope and Gilliam Workers’ Comp to Include Coverage for PTSD for First Responders Referred to Labor, Commerce and Industry H.3276 Reps. Pope et. al. South Carolina Hands Free Act The Bill was read a third time and Returned to the House with Amendments. Enrolled and Ratified on 5/8/25. H.3281 Reps. McCravy et. al. Fallen First Responders Advocate Position Referred to Judiciary H.3392 Rep. Moss Enhanced Penalties for Assaulting a Healthcare Worker or Emergency Response Employee Referred to Judiciary H.3295 Rep. Hardy Release of Vehicle Location Information to Law Enforcement Agency in Emergency Situations. Referred to Judiciary H.3315 Rep. Collins Authorize Correctional Officers to Serve Warrants without Magistrate Endorsing the Warrant. Referred to Judiciary H.3363 Rep. B. Newton, et.al. Catawba Nation to Become An Employer Under PEBA. Referred To Ways and Means H.3460 Rep. Wooten Disclosure of Electronic Communication to Law Enforcement, Solicitors and Attorney General Recommitted to Subcommittee
Similar Bill S.74 is Being Debated.H.3461 Rep Lawson Excludes First Responder Wages from SC Gross Income Referred To Ways and Means H.3650 Reps. G.M. Smith et. al. Discharging Firearms into Dwellings and other Structures On Senate Calendar H. 3907 Reps. B.J. Cox et. al. Provides additional benefits for families of first responders killed in the line of duty Referred to Committee on Ways and Means H.4336 Reps. Hartnett et. al. Relating To Assault And Battery Offenses, So As To Provide That Assault And Battery Of A High And Aggravated Nature Occurs When A Person Injures A Federal, State, Or Local Law Enforcement Officer Or Corrections Officer; A Healthcare Professional, Healthcare Worker, Or An Emergency Response Employee; Or An Educational Professional During Or Because Of The Person’s Official Duties. Referred to Judiciary S.71 Senator Hembree Enhanced Penalties for Assault and Battery Against a Law Enforcement Officer Referred to Judiciary S.74 Senator Hembree Disclosure of Electronic Communications and Other Records The Bill was Returned to the House with Amendments. Enrolled for Ratification on 5/8/25. S.111 Senator Rice Enhanced Penalties for Vehicle Pursuit On Senate Calendar S.127 Senator Johnson Adds Catawba Nation to PORS The Bill Adopted Conference Report and Ordered Enrolled for Ratification 5/8/2025 S.156 Senators Alexander et. al. Fentanyl Induced Homicide Conference Committee Appointed
House Conferees: Reps JE Johnson, Robbins and Rose
Senate Conferees: Sens Hembree, Sabb and Adams.S.447 Senator Adams Automated License Plate Reader System Carried Over LEGISLATION WE ARE MONITORING
Legislative proposals we are tracking to assess their potential impact on law enforcement and public safety.
Bill # Sponsor(s) Description Status H.3016 Rep. Rutherford Interrogation of Child Referred to Judiciary H.3068 Rep. Rutherford Revised forfeiture procedures Referred to Judiciary H.3126 Rep. Pope Creation of the South Carolina Department of Law Enforcement and Public Safety Referred to Judiciary H.3131 Rep. Rutherford Disallows Law Enforcement from Purchasing Cell Site Simulator Referred to Judiciary H.3133 Rep. Rutherford Disallows Law Enforcement from Stopping Vehicles that don’t have License Plate Illumination Referred to Education and Public Works H.3134 Rep. Rutherford Disallows Law Enforcement from Purchasing Cell Site Simulator Referred to Judiciary H.3139 Rep. Rutherford Certification of Law Enforcement Officers Referred to Judiciary H.3155 Rep. Rutherford Automatic License Plate Readers Referred to Judiciary H.3170 Rep. Beach Unlawful to Drive Vehicles with Drivers’ Licenses Not Recognized. Referred to Education and Public Works H.3283 Rep. Long CWP on College Campuses Referred to Judiciary H.3285 Rep. Landing Education of Law Enforcement Officers or EMS to Include Training Course in Autism The Bill Passed the House and Sent to the Senate and Referred to Judiciary H.3288 Rep. J.L. Johnson Allows Persons who are Subjects of Body Camera Video Data to Receive Footage by Simple Request. Referred to Judiciary H.3289 Rep. J.L. Johnson Include 911 Operators as “First Responders” Referred to Ways and Means H.3378 Rep. Burns et al. Exempt All Property from Taxation and Provide Dollar-for-Dollar Reimbursement to Political Subdivisions Referred To Ways and Means H.3421 Rep. Long Retirement Investment Commission Cannot Invest Funds with China Referred To Ways and Means H.3794 Reps. Mitchell and Pope Allow Public Defender Investigators to Carry Concealable Weapons Referred To Judiciary H.3799 Reps. Wooten et. al. Law Enforcement Officer Certificates of Compliance Referred To Judiciary H.3806 Reps. Hart and Henderson-Meyers Driving While Using Wireless Communication Devices Referred To Judiciary H.3855 Reps. Huff et. al. Sales Tax Exemption for Small Arms and Small Arms Ammunition Referred To Ways and Means H.3868 Reps. J. Moore et. al. Sale, Exchange or Transfer of Firearms Require National Instant Criminal Background Checks Referred To Judiciary H.4005 Reps. Henderson-Meyers et. al. Driving Under the Influence Referred To Judiciary H.4011 Rep. Erickson Department of Motor Vehicles – “Temporary Driving Certificate” Passed House – Sent to Senate -Referred to Committee on Transportation H.4013 Reps. J.E. Johnson et. al. Automated License Plate Readers Referred To Education and Public Works H.4092 Reps. Kilmartin et. al. Sales Tax Exemption During The Month Of July 2025 For Handguns, Rifles, Shotguns, And Ammunition Referred to Ways and Means H.4129 Reps. Brewer et. al. Gambling, Exceptions: A Person Who Pays A Fee To Play A Game In Which Skill Predominates Over Chance And Receives A Prize Proportionate To How Skillfully He Played Is Not Gambling. Read for Third Time in the House and Sent to the Senate → Introduced in the Senate and Referred to Judiciary Committee H.4137 Reps. B.J. Cox et. al. American Heroes Bingo Read for Third Time in the House and Sent to the Senate → Introduced in the Senate and Referred to Finance Committee H.4387 Yow, B. Newton and Mitchell Law Enforcement Officer Misconduct Referred to Committee on Judiciary H.4399 Holman, J.L. Johnson, B.L. Cox and Sanders First Responder Wellness Exams Referred to Committee on Judiciary S.8 Senator Jackson Training Council to Set Policies and Procedures for Vehicle Pursuits Carried Over S.90 Senator Young Hands Free Act Referred To Transportation S.126 Senator Johnson Relating to Definitions, so as to Include Additional Information in the Definition of “Personal Contact Information” and to Define “Disclosed Records” Ratified R 11 S.136 Senator Tedder Dismissal of Pending Gun Possession Charges Concurred in Senate Amendments and Enrolled for Ratification S.142 Senator Devine Requires CJA to Develop Use of Force Model Policy, Qualified Immunity Referred To Judiciary S.145 Senator Devine Constitutional Carry/Second Amendment Preservation Act Repeal Referred To Judiciary S.149 Senator Devine Juvenile Justice Reform Act Referred To Judiciary S.168 Senator Campsen Concealed Weapon Permits Program Carried Over S.270 Senators Alexander et. al. Define Attempted Murder The Bill is on Senate Calendar S.297 Senator Turner Employer And Employee Contribution Rates Under SCRS And PORS Referred To Finance S.300 Senator Tedder Background Checks Before Sale or Transfer of Firearms Referred To Judiciary S.338 Senators Climer and Kimbrell Second Amendment Privacy Act Referred to Judiciary S.346 Senator Alexander Enhanced Penalties for Assault on Firefighter and Health Professionals The Bill is on Senate Calendar S.386 Senator Elliott Retired Law Enforcement Officers – Concealed Weapons Permit Referred to Judiciary S.398 Senators Stubbs and Zell Allow Individuals With Military Or Law Enforcement Experience To Be Eligible To Be Appointed As A Magistrate In Counties With Less Than Fifty Thousand People. Referred to Judiciary S.448 Senator Tedder et. al. Electronic Driver’s License System Referred to Transportation S.518 Senator Grooms “South Carolina Pray Safe Act” Referred to Judiciary S.520 Senator Davis “South Carolina Pray Safe Act” Referred to Judiciary S.521 Senator Garrett Allows Municipal Court Judges To
Participate In PORSReferred to Judiciary REGULATIONS
Updates to the South Carolina Code of State Regulations
Bill # Sponsor(s) Description Status 5302 SCCJA Investigation of Events
Requiring Withdrawal of
Certification; Notification to
OfficerApproved by House Regs Committee 5304 SCCJA 37-108. Sanctions Approved by House Regs Committee LEGISLATIVE INTRODUCTIONS
House and Senate Legislation Introduced this Week
Bill # Sponsor(s) Description Status H.4542 Rep. Bailey Horry County Police Commission Currently Residing in the House Committee on Horry Delegation S.664 Senator Devine South Carolina Speed Safety Act Referred to Transportation FY25-26 APPROPRIATIONS BILL
This section outlines the South Carolina FOP’s priorities and positions regarding the Fiscal Year 2025–2026 Appropriations Bill, with a focus on funding provisions that directly impact law enforcement operations, officer safety, and public safety initiatives statewide.
Bill # H 4025 Ways and Means Committee Members of the House passed their version of the $14 billion FY25-26 Appropriations Bill on Wednesday, March 13, 2025. The House Version of the Budget Bill is Posted at: 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill – House of Representatives
2025-26 General Appropriations Bill – Senate Finance Committee – Summary Control Document
2025-26 General Appropriations Bill – Senate Finance Committee Proviso ChangesSenate as Amended and Returned to the House. The House Non-concurred in the Senate Amendments and a Conference Committee was appointed:
House Conferees:
Bannister
Hewitt
Stavrinakis
Senate Conferees:
Peeler
Jackson
AlexanderH4026 Ways and Means Committee Members of the House passed their version of the FY25-26 Capital Reserve Fund Joint Resolution on Wednesday. The House Version of the Capital Reserve Fund Joint Resolution is Posted at: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/4026.htm 2025-26 General Appropriations Bill – Senate Finance Committee – Summary Control Document Passed by the Senate as Amended and Returned to the House → House Concurred in Senate Amendments and Ratified 5/8/2025 The Return to Work Program Provisio is reauthorized in the proposed budget.
108.14 – PEBA: PORS and SCRS Return to Work
For the current fiscal year, the earnings limitation does not apply to retirees in either the Police Officer Retirement System (PORS) or the South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS) if the retiree has not worked in any compensated capacity—including as an employee, independent contractor, leased employee, or otherwise—for a participating employer for at least twelve consecutive months following retirement.- The exemption is only valid after the retiree certifies that they meet the twelve-month requirement.
- If a retiree inaccurately certifies their eligibility, they will be required to repay any benefits that were incorrectly paid.
108.15 – PEBA: PORS Return to Work License Protection
Participation in the Return to Work program does not impact a PORS member’s law enforcement certification. Officers who take a 12-month break from service under this program will not lose their law enforcement credentials and may return to duty.- Participating officers must still meet all training and continuing education requirements of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Academy.
108.16 – PEBA: Employer Contribution Requirement
Retired members reappointed by the Governor whose pay falls under Section 8-11-160 may qualify for the benefits of Section 9-1-1590 if they:- Return to active service for at least 36 consecutive months, and
- Receive annual compensation of at least 75% of their average final compensation at retirement.
South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police
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About South Carolina FOP
The South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge was formed in 1977. Since then, the FOP has supported and represented law enforcement officers across the state.